Tractor



W. CHRISTIE.

TRACTOR.

APPLwATloN FILED ocT. 23. |918.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. CHRISTlE.

TRACTOR.

APPLIcATloN FILED ocT. 23. 191s.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. CHRlSIE.

mcmn.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23. ISIB.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Imi l 3 www? W. CHRISUE.

TRACTOR.

APPucATmN FILED 01m23.191s.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Speoiloatioa of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

appunti ma ombuaa, im. semi iro. usano.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER CHmsTIn, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Weehawken, Hudson county, and State of New Jersey, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractors, of which the following 1s a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formlng a part thereof.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in tractors and its object 1s to provide a simple and ellcient apparatus of great strength.

Another object is to provide a dm ble tractor which may run either on its w eels or on chains under its wheels.

Other objects are to provide great -ilexlbility to the running gear, a convenient and easily operated control mechanlsm, and power transmission of wide range. More specically, the object of this invention 1s to rovide a tractor for military purposes which is well adapted to serve as a gun carriage and by means of which a gun or other heavy Object may be moved over dieult surfaces and also may be transported rapidly over roads or other good surfaces.

In order that m invention may be thoroughl descri e the same in the following specification, and will then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevatlon of a tractor and gun carriage which is made according to and embodies this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional end elevation of the upper portion of one of the driven wheels and parts of its driving mechanism.

Fi 4 is a side elevation of the supports for t e chain tension wheels.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section of one of the end chain wheels and a part of one of the tractor chains.

Fi 6 is an enlarged side elevation show ing m detail the constructlon of the improved tractor chain and understoo I will now proceed to.

7 is a plank view of a similar art of thgizain p Like characters of reference designate corres ending parts in all the figures.

1 0 esignates a rigid metallic rame upon which the various parts of the apparatus are mounted. 11 is an engine set transversely on this frame near one of its ends and connected by independent transmission arm 12 withln the casings 13 and 14 to rive either or both of the wheels 15 or 16. A part of one of these wheels is shown in detail in Fig. 3. 17 is an axle ri 'dlfy affixed to a housing 18 attached to t; rame 10 and supportin the hub 19 of the wheel by interposed bal bearings 20. From the outer en of the hub extends a lian 21 to the outer part of which is integra ly connected the felly 22. The edge of the felly which 1s opposite the flange. extends inwardly to form an annular rib 23 to which is allixed by bolts 24: an internal gear 25. 26 designates webs between the hub and the he outside of the felly extends as at 27 to form a larn annular channel which is divided by equa ly spaced transverse walls 28 into a series of pockets 29. The rims 30 which fit over the felly, carry shoes 31 and are clamped onto the wheel by rings 32, 33. The latter is held in place by the bolts 24 which secure the gear 25 to the wheel.

34 is a pinion in mesh with the gear 25. Its shaft 35 is su ported by the housing 18 by interposed ba bearings 36 and bythe transmission gear casing 14 and bearings 37. The gears 38 and 39 which form parts of the transmission gearin are rigidly connected with the pinion sha 35.

From the parts which have been described it may be seen that the drivin power of the engine 11 may be transmitter? to rotate the wheel 15 and it is to be understood that similar mechanisms are rovided between the en 'ne and the other riven wheel 16.

At t e other end of the frame 10 in alinement with the wheels 15 and 16 are' auxiliary vehicle wheels 40` 41, rotatably mounted on rigid axles. Izhe main vehicle wheels designated by 42 -and 43 are near thele. They are pivotally mounted near the ends of a transverse axle such as 44 on radius rods 45. 46 are sprin between the radius rods and the vehicle me. The positions of the pivot pms for these wheels is shown at 47 in Fig. 2. The opposite ends of a transverse steering rod 48 are connected to non-rotative parte of these wheels and the rod is connected by suitable mechanism with a steering wheel 49.

50 is a lever, pivoted to frame 10 at 51. Near one end it carries the axle of a tension wheel 52 and on the part op ite the pivot 51 is an adjustable bolt 53, t e lower end of which rests on a rubber buier 54 ailixed to the frame 10. This adjustably limits the upward movement of the tension wheel 52.

55 is a worm segment which is either an integral part of or ailixed to the arm 50. A worm 57 is pivotally supported at 58 in such a way that it may be moved into or out of mesh with` the segment 55. 56 is the spindle of this worm by means of which it may be rotated.

60 and 61 are arms pivoted to the frame 10 and carrying ground tension wheels 62 and 63. 64 1s a rock lever from the axle of wheel 62 to a point above the axle of wheel 63 with which it is connected by a link 65.

66 is a rod pivoted to lever 64 midwa between the axles of the tension wheels 6 63, which asses up through a collar 67 which is pivoted) to lever 50 an 68'. A compression spring 68 between this collar and a head near the lower end of the rod 66 tends to force the levers 50 and 64 apart. 69 is a stop on rod 66 which limits the amount of separation of the two levers 50 and 64.

A perforated lug 70 projects u wardly from the axle of wheel 63. 1 is a lnk pivotally suspended from a int 72 on the frame above the 1u 70 wi h a perforation near its lower end. similar lug 73 upwardly from the axle of wheel 6 4 is a link suspended from the frame at 75 above this lug 73. Near the adjacent ends-of the lu 73 and the link 74 perforations are pro vi ed. Similar arts to those specllcally described are on t e other side of the apparatus.

The peripheries of the main and auxiliary vehicle wheels and of all of the tension wheels are similar to those of the driven` wheels 15 and 16 except that the transverse walls 28 which form the pockets 29 are omitted.

The creeper chain which forms the tread for the tractor is constructed as shown anFigs. 6 and 7. It comprises pairs of 'transverse members 81 and 82 ivoted tother as at S3, and long'itu members and riveted to the transverse members iat 86. Each of the inner longitudinal memhers 85 is constructed with a mted lug 87 and these lugs fit in the p ts 2 9 of the driven wheels 15 and 16. The cham which ratus when passing over ho passes around wheel 15 is carried up over tension wheel 52, thence around the auxilia r vehicle wheel 40, under the main velnc e wheel 42, under the tension wheels 62 and 68 and to the driven wheel 15. The transverse members of the chain lie against the tires 31 of all of these wheels and the lugs 87 pass freely through the channels 27 between the tires.

'.[fhe tractor may of .course be used for variosA purposes. As shown in the drawlngs a gun 90 is mounted on it with its trunnlons supported in a frame comprising side members 1. This gun frame is ivoted to the vehicle frame 10 at 92 about w ich pivot it y.has a limited rotative movement on the guides 93. For further lateral adjustment of the gun the position of the apparatus as a whole is shifted.

At the end of the apparatus under the breech of the gun are sprags 94, pivoted to the frame 10 and so arranged that they may belet down into engagement with the ground when desired.

Between the engine 11 and each of the driven wheels 15 and 16 are back gears within casings 100 and 101, connected respectively to control levers 102 and 103 near levers 76 and 77. These are provided for the purpose of increasing the gear ratio between the shaft of the engine 11 and the ad- -ustable gears within the casings 13 and 14.

n operating the apparatus as a cree er tractor these back gears are used, as un er this condition the apparatus is` run at comparatively low s ee s. It is then steered by manipulation o levers 76 and 77 to vary the rates at which the two creeper chains are driven. It is obvious that these may be driven at the same or at different rates, or

that if desired one may be driven in one direction and the other 1n the opposite direction to eect a quick turning of the apparatus.

The supports for the tension wheels are such' that t e wheels 62 and 63 have a, large and independent range of movement in their vertical planes and will be moved u wardly in passln over obstructions, an down wardclly wlth suiiicient force to support a consi erable part of the weht of the apparain. It is also possible for the wheels 62 and 63 on one side of the ap' aratus to be moved upwardly or downwardly in passin projections or depressions on the groun while those on the other side are moved in theopposite direction.

The stop 53-54 prevents the s ring 68 from putting any tension 0n the c |ains 80 when the apparatus is running over flat surfaces. But when a hollow is reached so that either or both of the wheels 62-63 is forced downwardly by the sprin 68, there is a tendency to shorten the lengthI of chain ows in the teri 80 which is compensated for by the downward movement of wheel 52 against the action of spring 68 which results in maintaining the chain tension. When desired the chain tension may be increased by increasing the compression of the spring. Obviously, the action of the tension wheels and their supports on one side of the apparatus is independent of that of similar parts on the other side.

With this apparatus a strong and rigid frame is supported on tractor chains of great iiexibility and the whole apparatus is capable of moving over decidedly rough countr and of successfully traversing terrain w ich is impassible to other devices of this general character. i

The apparatus is however arranged to run on its wheels instead of on the chains 80. To arrange it for this operation the worm 57 is moved into mesh with the segment 53 and turned to raise lever 50. This will bring collar 67 against the stop 69. Further upward movement of lever 50 will raise lever 64 until the perforations in the lug 73 and the link 74 are in alinement. A pin is then thrust through these erforations and the lever 64 given a furt er upward movement to bring the perforations in lug 70 and link 71 into position to receive another pin. After this the worm 57 is rotated in the opposite direction to lower lever 50 against the thrust of the sprin 68 which releases the tension on chain 80. his chain may now be removed and if desired the pins through the lugs 70 and 73 may be removed also.

Now the driven wheels 15 and 16 Will be in direct engagement with the ground and the apparatus will rest upon them and upon the main vehicle wheels 42, 43. In this condition the levers 102 and 103 are moved to throw out the back gears as apparatus may be driven at reater speeds than is practicable when te chains 80 are used. The main wheels 42, 43 are on vertical pivots at 47 about which they may be turned by means of the steering wheel 49 as shown in Fig. 2. When thus arranged the apparatus may be steered by the wheel 49 in the manner of an ordinary automobile truck. There is no diierential gear between the driven wheels 15 and 16 as this is not necessary for the usual uiding of the apparatus. But one of these w eels may be driven faster than the other on the driving connection between one of them and the en 'ne ma be disconnected by suitable manipu ation o the levers 76 and 77 when it is necessary to go around sharp curves.

When the chains are used the steering wheel 49 is locked by a s ring-pressed bolt engaging a socket 106 to old wheels 42, 43 in alinement with the driven wheels 15,

65 16. When running on wheels mud hook chains ma he placed around the peripheries of the driven wheels to increase their adherence to the ground.

It is to be noted that the axes of the auxiliary wheels 40, 41 at the front end of the apparatus, are hi her than those of the main or steeri w eels 42, 43. This is for the purpose of increasing the ,climbing capability of the machine.

A structure of preferred form and construction has been illustrated and described for the purpose of showing a way in which this invention may be used, but the inventive thought upon which this application is based is broader than this illustrative embodiment, and I therefore intend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle, a frame, sets of load carrying road wheels including steering wheels adapted to move angularly about vertical pivots, said wheels having eripheral treads to run on the round and) to support the weight of the ve icle, and removable creeper chains passing under all of the wheels of a set, respectively, said wheels serving to carry the weight of the vehicle when said chains are so applied.

' 2. In a vehicle, a frame, sets of load car rying road wheels including steering wheels adapted to move angularly about vertical pivots, said wheels having peripheral treads to run on the ground and to support the weight of the vehicle, removable creeper chains passing under all of the wheels 0f a set, respectively, said wheels serving to carry the weight of the vehicle When said chains are so applied, and tension devices for the chains.

3. Ina tractor, a frame, a motor, sets of load carryin road wheels including steering wheels a apted to move angularl about vertical pivots and having periphera treads to run on the ground and support the weight of the tractor, means to connect one of said wheels with the motor for repulsion of the tractor as a wheeled ve icle, removable creeper chains passing under all of the wheels of a set, respectively, said wheels serving to carry the Weight of the tractor when said chains are so applied, and means to connect the chains with the motor for propulsion of the tractor.

4. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, sets of load car ing road wheels having peripheral trea s to run on the ground and support the Weight of the tractor, means. to con nect certain of said wheels with the motor for propulsion of the tractor as a wheeled vehicle, removable creeper chains passing under all of the wheels of a set, respectively said wheels serving to carry the weight of the tractor when said chains are so applied, and positive means connecting the driven sion of the tractor.

5. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, sets of load carryin road' wheels including steering wheels a apted to move angular-l about vertical pivots and having periphera treads to run on the ground and support the weight of the tractor, means to connect one of said wheels with the motor for ro ulsion of the tractor as a wheeled vve ic e, removable creeper chains passing under all of the wheels of a set, respectively, said wheels serving to carry the weight of the tractor when said chains are so applied, means to connect the chains with the motor for pro pulsion of the tractor, tension devices for the chains including wheels between said road wheels, and means to press said last named wheels into engagement with the respective chains.

6. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a driven wheel connected therewith and arran d to run on the ground, a steering whee also arranged to run on the ground, a pivotal support for the steering wheel at substantially right angles to the axis thereof, both of said wheels having parts arranged to receive and guide a creeper chain and said driven wheel having parts arranged to drive such a chain, steering means for the steering wheel, and a removable creeper chain.

In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a driven wheel connected therewith and arran d to run on the ground, a steering whee also arranged to run on the ground, a pivotal support for the steeringwheel at substantially right angles to the axis thereof, both of said wheels having parts arranged to receive and guide a creeper chain and said driven wheel having parts arran ed to drive such a chain, steering means or the steering wheel, means for locking the steering wheel in alinement with the driven wheel and a removable creeper chain.

8. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame arranged to run on the ground, independent adjustable transmission connections between the motor and each of said driven wheels, steering wheels on opposite sides of the frame also arranged to run on the ground all of said wheels having parts arranged to receive and guide a creeper chain, and said driven wheels having parts arranged to drive such chains, steering gear connected with the steering wheels, meansY for locking said gear to hold the steering wheels in alinement with the driven wheels, and arpair of removable creeper chains.

9. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, arran d to run on the ground, inde endent adjustable transmission connections or each of said driven wheels, manually controlled speed reduction gearing between the motor and each of said transmission connections, steering wheels on opposite sides of the frame, also arranged to run on the ground, all of said wheels having parts a to receive and guide a creeper chain, an said driven wheels having parts to drive such chains, steering ar connected with the steering wheels, an a pair of re movable creeper chains.

10. In `a tractor, a frame a motor, driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame near one end thereof, arranged to run on the ground, inde endent adjustable transmission connections Between the motor and each of said drivenwheels, auxiliary vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame near the other end thereof, steering wheels on opposite sides of the frame between the driven and auxiliary wheels, also arranged to run on' the ground, said steering wheels being lower than said auxiliary wheels, all of said wheels having parts arranged to receive and guide a creeper chain, an said driven wheels having parts arranged to drive such chains, steering gear connected with the steering wheels, and a pair of removable creeper chains.

11. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame near one end thereof, arran d to run on the ground, independent a justable transmission connections between the motor and each of said driven wheels, auxiliary vehicle wheels on op osite sides of the frame near the other en thereof, steering wheels on opposite sides of the frame between the driven and auxiliary wheels, also arranged to run on the ground, said steering wheels being lower than said auxiliary wheels, all of said wheels having parts arranged to receive and guide a creeper chain, and said driven wheels having parts arranged to drive such chains, steering gear connected with the steering wheels, means for locking said gear to hold the steering wheels in alinement with the. auxiliary and driven wheels, and a pair of removable creeper chains.

12. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sideof the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel and a lower tension wheel in engagement with the chain, andmeans for forcing said tension wheels apart.

13. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel and a lower tension wheel in engagement with the chain, means for forcin said tension wheels apart, and means for imiting the upward movement of the upper tension wheel.

14. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel and a lower tension wheel in engagement with the chain, a compression sprin for forcing said tension wheels apart, an adjustable means for limiting the u ward movement of the upper tension whee 15. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel and a lower tension wheel in engagement with the chain, automatic means for forcing said tension wheels apart, and manually actuated means for drawing the tension wheels toward each per tension wheel.

other.

16. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel and a lower tension wheel in engagement with the chain, and means for forcing said tension wheels apart, and manuaiiy actuated means for raisin the lower tension wheel and means for hol ing said lower tension wheel in its raised position.

17. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides o the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on .opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its otherpvehicle wheel, said ten- -sion device comprising an up er tension wheel, a pair of lower tension w eels, independently movable supports for said lower tensionwheels, and means for forcing the lower tension wheels and the upper tension wheei apart.

18. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame, connections between the motor and said driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on. opposite sides of the frame, spaced from said driven wheels and creeper chains around said wheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel, a pair of lower tension wheels, inde-` pendently movable supports for all of said tension wheels, and a compression spring between the supports for the lower tension wheels and the support for the upper tension wheel.

19. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the frame connections between the motor and sai driven wheels, other vehicle wheels on oposite sides of the frame, spaced from said riven wheels and creeper chains around saidwheels; combined with a tension device for each chain between its driven wheel and its other vehicle wheel, said tension device comprising an upper tension wheel, a pair of lower ten'sion wheels, independently movable supports for all of said tension Wheels, a compression spring between the supports for t e lower tension wheels and the support for the u per tension wheel, and adjustable means or limiting the upward movement of the support for the up- 20. In a vehicle, a frame,.sets of load carrying road wheels including steering wheels adapted to move angularly about vertical pivots, said wheels having resilient peripheral tread portions adapted to run on t e ground and support the weight of the vehicle, said tread portions being separated by intervening spaces, respectively and removable creeper chains passing under all of the said tread portions of the wheels of a set, respectivel and having guiding devices enga ing in t e spaces between said separate tread portions, said wheels serving to carry the weight of thevehicle when said' chains are so applied.

21. In a tractor, a frame, a motor, sets of load carrying road' wheels having resilient periphera spaced tread portions to run on the ground and support the weight of the tractor, means connecting certain of said wheels with the motor for ro ulsion of the tractor as a wheeledve ce said driven wheels having pockets formed 1n the spaces between said resilient tread portions removable Creeper chains passing under ali of the wheels of a set, respectively, said wheels serving to carrythe Weight of the 5 tractor when said chains are so a) means carried by the chains an plied, and

engaging" said pockets to provide a positive drive com nection between said driven wheels and the chains.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set 10 my hand this 21st da of October 1918.

WA TER CHRisTIE. 

